Things to Do Near St. George, Utah

The best things to do near St. George, Utah fit in a short drive: Zion National Park, three state parks, a desert tortoise reserve and an outdoor theater under red cliffs. Fees, hours and permit rules below come from each official site and were checked November 1, 2026. Confirm before you go, because they change.

Things to Do Near St. George, Utah at a Glance

Zion National Park: canyon hikes, the free Zion Canyon Shuttle and Angels Landing by permit.
Sand Hollow State Park: reservoir boating, diving and OHV riding on Sand Mountain.
Snow Canyon State Park: sandstone, lava flows and more than 38 miles of trails.
Quail Creek State Park: warm-water boating and fishing.
Red Cliffs Desert Reserve: protected Mojave desert tortoise habitat with trails and a downtown visitor center.
Tuacahn Center for the Arts: Broadway shows and concerts in Ivins.

Zion National Park

Zion Canyon sits next to Springdale and is where hikes like Angels Landing and the Narrows begin. The Kolob Canyons section has its own visitor center and scenic drive at Exit 40 on Interstate 15 (NPS directions and transportation).

Zion entrance fees

Private vehicle: $35, valid 1 to 7 days, covers everyone in the vehicle.
Motorcycle: $30, valid 7 days.
Per person on foot or bike: $20, valid 1 to 7 days. Youth 15 and under enter free.
Non-US residents 16 and over pay an extra $100 per person unless entering with an Annual or America the Beautiful pass.

Source: Zion fees and passes (NPS).

Zion Canyon Shuttle

The shuttle is free and needs no ticket or reservation. In most years it runs daily March through November and during the late-December holidays. While it runs, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private vehicles. Shuttles take about 45 minutes from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center to the Temple of Sinawava (Zion Canyon Shuttle System (NPS)).

Angels Landing permits

Angels Landing requires a permit through recreation.gov. Apply in a seasonal lottery months ahead or in the day-before lottery, open 12:01 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mountain Time, with results after 4 p.m. Each application costs $6 and covers up to six people, plus a $3 per-person permit fee if selected (Angels Landing permits (NPS)).

Sand Hollow State Park

Utah State Parks calls Sand Hollow Utah's most popular state park. Boat, fish, paddleboard, kayak and scuba dive at the reservoir's dive park, ride the red dunes of Sand Mountain on an OHV, and camp in a campground or on the beach. Boat decontamination hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. May through September and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. October through April. Park hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. during Daylight Saving Time and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. during Standard Time. Phone: 435-680-0715. Fees and day passes: Sand Hollow State Park (Utah State Parks).

Snow Canyon State Park

Snow Canyon is a 7,400-acre park of lava flows and red Navajo sandstone at 3,100 to 4,100 feet. It has more than 38 miles of hiking trails, a three-mile paved walking and biking trail, over 15 miles of equestrian trails, and a 38-unit campground open year-round. Online camping reservations open 48 hours to 4 months ahead. Johnson Canyon is closed March 15 through September 14 except for ranger-guided hikes. The park is a designated Urban Night Sky Place. Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Phone: 435-628-2255 (Snow Canyon State Park (Utah State Parks)).

Quail Creek State Park

Quail Creek has some of the warmest water in Utah and a mild winter, so boating and fishing run year-round. The 600-acre reservoir reaches 120 feet deep, cold enough for stocked rainbow trout, with largemouth bass and bluegill in the warmer upper water (Quail Creek State Park (Utah State Parks)).

Red Cliffs Desert Reserve

The reserve protects habitat for the Mojave desert tortoise. Stay on trail, follow posted rules and practice Leave No Trace. The visitor center in downtown St. George sells maps and helps plan hikes and day trips (Plan Your Visit, Red Cliffs Desert Reserve).

Tuacahn Center for the Arts

Tuacahn runs Broadway musicals in its outdoor amphitheatre, plays and holiday shows in the indoor Hafen Theatre, and a fall concert series. It sits at 1100 Tuacahn Drive, Ivins. Box office: 800-746-9882. Current season and tickets: tuacahn.org.

Getting to St. George

NPS lists these airports by distance from Zion: St. George Regional (SGU), 49 miles, with flights from Salt Lake City and Denver; Harry Reid International (LAS) in Las Vegas, 170 miles; and Salt Lake City International (SLC), 300 miles (NPS directions).

Questions About Things to Do Near St. George

How much does it cost to enter Zion National Park?

A private vehicle pass is $35 and is valid for 1 to 7 days. A person on foot or bike pays $20. Youth 15 and under enter free.

Do I need a permit to hike Angels Landing?

Yes. Angels Landing requires a permit from a seasonal lottery or a day-before lottery on recreation.gov. Applying costs $6, plus $3 per person if selected.

Do I need a reservation to ride the Zion shuttle?

No. The Zion Canyon Shuttle is free and needs no ticket, permit or reservation.

Which airport is closest to Zion National Park?

St. George Regional Airport (SGU) is 49 miles from Zion, according to the National Park Service. Harry Reid International in Las Vegas is 170 miles away.

What are Sand Hollow State Park hours?

Sand Hollow is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. during Daylight Saving Time and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. during Standard Time.

Can you camp at Snow Canyon State Park?

Yes. Snow Canyon has a 38-unit campground open year-round. Online reservations open 48 hours to 4 months ahead. Backcountry camping is not allowed.

Where is Tuacahn?

Tuacahn Center for the Arts is at 1100 Tuacahn Drive in Ivins, Utah, next to Snow Canyon State Park.

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